Neighbors, Wheat Belt Staff Rescue Trapped Dogs

Two Big Springs’ dogs recent "walk about" nearly ended in disaster. The dogs were reunited with their family after four days thanks to caring neighbors, Sam and Doug Rose and Wheat Belt Oshkosh area foreman, Kevin Coss.

Late Thursday afternoon, a concerned neighbor and Wheat Belt customer contacted the Wheat Belt office. Sam Rose noticed two dogs in the Big Springs Substation while farming nearby. The substations are locked and highly protected. Knowing that they wouldn't last long without water, and unable to release the dogs, he took the time to contact his father, Doug, who called the office and relayed the dire circumstance into which these two wanderers had gotten themselves. Wheat Belt's Business Manager, Pam Wieser, told him that Wheat Belt would investigate.

Rose indicated that he did not feel the animals would make it another day. He was assured that Wheat Belt would check on their welfare as soon as possible.

Coss was contacted for the search and rescue operation. Wieser and Coss speculated about how the dogs got into the predicament and were concerned that it may have been a cruel prank. When Coss reached the substation, he was leery of approaching the dogs due to their sick and emaciated condition.

After Coss made a quick perimeter check, he decided that a recent washout under the fence had allowed the dogs access. It seems that the dogs thought that the hole wasn’t large enough to get out of although they were able to get in.

The dogs were named Lucky One and Two by the rescuers.

Coss contacted neighbors in the area asking if anyone had heard of the missing dogs. The local swap shop had been used by the distraught family for help in finding their dogs. Within a short time, the owners arrived on site to claim the dogs.

Recent rains were surely a blessing for more than the crops, and most likely kept these poor animals alive. The rock and gravel in the substation doesn't allow water to stand for long.

Employees of Wheat Belt and the family of these lucky canines are grateful to the Roses and Coss for going the extra mile to save these pets.

Michelle Hodges, a Wheat Belt employee, said that hearing this story put “tears in her eyes;” she was so happy that the dogs were rescued and reunited with their family.